The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has commended Nigeria’s bold steps in advancing gender equality and inclusive growth, even as global donor support for women’s programmes declines.
Delivering a keynote at the Nigeria Gender and Inclusion Summit 2025 (GS-25) in Abuja, Mr. Ekenem Isichei, Deputy Director of Programme Advocacy and Communications at the Gates Foundation Nigeria Office, praised the government’s policy reforms and achievements that have positioned Nigeria among global leaders in women’s empowerment.
He said; “Last year, Nigeria advanced 25 ranks on the World Economic Forum Gender Gap Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Sub-Index, from 49th place to 24th, surpassing the government’s target of reaching the Top 25 by 2028.”
Isichei hailed the adoption of the National Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy and Action Plan under the Ministry of Women Affairs, supported by Finance, Budget and National Planning. He said the initiative provided a strong blueprint for lifting up Nigerian women and girls in critical sectors.
He said; “The WEE Policy is a strong blueprint for lifting up Nigerian women and girls in sectors where they are most present: agriculture, entrepreneurship, education, emerging industries, and in the formal labor force.”
Isichei also applauded Lagos and Kaduna States for spearheading domestication of the WEE Policy, noting that at least 14 more states are actively engaging the process.
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The Foundation’s Deputy Director highlighted measurable improvements in maternal health and labor force participation, crediting Nigeria’s strong policy environment and collaboration with civil society and private partners.
He said; “The number of women in Nigeria who have died during childbirth has dropped… in large part due to access to medicines.”
Isichei further praised government reforms such as the relaunch of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF 2.0) and the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp)*, which have strengthened accountability and streamlined funding flows.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s progress, Isichei noted a sharp decline in donor support to women’s programmes globally.
“Since we gathered last year, bilateral Official Development Assistance to Nigeria has dropped 40%, and programs that intentionally support women’s health or empowerment were especially targeted,” he stated.
Isichei revealed that funding for maternal and child health in Nigeria alone has dropped by 67 percent.
Against this decline, he reiterated the Foundation’s new global investment to fill gaps in women’s health research and innovation.
“This, in part, motivated the Foundation’s announcement last month that it will commit 2.5 billion dollars through 2030 to accelerate research and development exclusively on women’s health — and encouraging others to co-invest,”Isichei explained
He challenged all stakeholders; government, private sector, and civil society to ensure that policies translate into delivery and tangible impact.
“We need more than policies. We need delivery. It is not enough for women-focused programmes to be approved. The funds must flow — on time and transparently,”Isichei said
He further stressed that “investing in women is both a moral and economic imperative.
“Investing in women is not charity. It is strategy. Backing women-led businesses is not just the right thing — it is smart business.”
Isichei underscored the centrality of women’s inclusion to Nigeria’s future, saying “We are not building systems for women alone. We are building a better Nigeria — for every family, every community, and every generation.”
He noted that; “The test of inclusion is not the summit. The test is what we change after the applause dies down.”
The two day summit organised by the Policy Innovation Centre, with the theme “New Voices and New Approaches for Accelerating an Inclusive Society,” is ongoing with Policy experts, Government representatives, and stakeholders participating in dialogues and plenaries to move Nigeria and Africa forward.